The 10th annual survey, conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, reveals the professional aspirations of some of the most promising Generation Z students, the oldest of whom are now heading to college. Technology companies like Instagram, which cracked the list for the first time, and healthcare providers, dominated the next-generation workforce’s list of preferred employers, reflecting their comfort with computers and eagerness to make an impact.

“This year’s survey provides an invaluable glimpse into what the workforce’s next generation is seeking in their future careers. As employers prepare to recruit and retain a new cadre of workers, they should be ready to meet the needs of young people who are interested in mission-driven work, innovative technology and work/life balance.”

James W. Lewis, President of NSHSS

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital grabbed the No. 2 spot on the list, followed by local hospitals, the Walt Disney Company, the FBI, Apple Inc. and the CIA. When asked which fields they expect to work in, survey respondents placed healthcare first, but listed several other areas, including sciences and business, ahead of technology. The survey offers a first look at some of Generation Z’s biggest aspirations, including the benefits they want to receive and the ways they hope to make a difference in their careers.

NSHSS is a distinguished honors society for outstanding students that offers member-exclusive scholarships, and connects high-achieving scholars with colleges and universities around the globe. In addition, NSHSS members can participate in exclusive member events across the U.S., unique study abroad and experiential learning opportunities and benefit from a host of partner offers. Its 2017 member survey is the first to highlight the career ambitions of the teens making up Generation Z, who were born around the early 2000s.

“This year’s survey provides an invaluable glimpse into what the workforce’s next generation is seeking in their future careers,” says James W. Lewis, president of NSHSS. “As employers prepare to recruit and retain a new cadre of workers, they should be ready to meet the needs of young people who are interested in mission-driven work, innovative technology and work/life balance.”

Across all respondents, the top 25 employers of choice were:

1. Google

2. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

3. Local hospitals

4. Walt Disney Company

5. FBI

6. Apple Inc.

7. CIA

8. 3M

9. BuzzFeed

10. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

11. Amazon

12. Health Care Service Corp.

13. Mayo Clinic

14. Microsoft

15. Nike

16. U.S. State Department

17. Universal Studios

18. Netflix

19. DreamWorks Animation SKG

20. CHG Healthcare Services

21. Instagram

22. Tesla Motors

23. The New York Times

24. Boeing

25. Atlantic Health Systems

All survey respondents are NSHSS members, and while most are part of Generation Z, the respondents also include some college students and college graduates. The diverse group is 77 percent female, and 46 percent are African-American, Hispanic or Asian-American.

The only company new to this year’s list is Instagram (No. 21). Last year’s top company, 3M (which shot to the top of the list due in part to the company’s first global brand campaign in 25 years) remains in the top 10. Additionally, with 59 percent of respondents spending up to 3 hours per week in community-involvement activities, several service-focused employers (including local police departments and Teach For America) are seen on this list.

The survey also examines areas such as educational attainment. To see the complete list of top companies and read the 2017 survey, visit https://www.nshss.org/about/career-interest-survey. For more information about NSHSS, visit nshss.org.

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About The National Society of High School Scholars

Formed in 2002 by James W. Lewis and Claes Nobel, senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a distinguished honors society that recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and helps to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving teenagers through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks. NSHSS members become lifetime members. At each step along the way — from high school to college to career — NSHSS connects outstanding young scholars with the resources they need to develop their strengths and pursue their passions. There are more than 1,300,000 Society lifetime members in 160 countries. To help us further efforts that provide students with continued opportunity, please acknowledge NSHSS in any press release mentions by providing a resource link to www.nshss.org. For more information about NSHSS visit www.nshss.org.​